After a recent virus attack then reinstall winxp, I have started to get a message (presumably from XP itself) Activate your OS, you have, seven, six... four days left(today). So as my winXP is bought and paid for with serial number, I press the activate button each day .... After a second or so I get a message with keys in the background stating "Your OS is already activated" I'm beginning to imagine that the winXP will shut down next Monday... How can I stop this ticking bomb in my PC? Thanks Fred

See the last article. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302... Description of Microsoft Product Activation http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302... Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Product Activation http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307... How to activate Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312... You are prompted to activate Windows every time you restart your computer

Thanks Chuck2, I followed the advice. The my PC, tools route, says I'm already activated. The start=> execute code route, also says the same I'm activated. There was another option to e-mail a help centre, but at $46 a question might turn out to be very very expensive... So it looks as if I have to let the bomb keep on ticking until Monday, then we'll see what can happen Bye and thanks Fred